NATIONAL REPORT OF TURKEY ON PHOTOGRAMMETRY AND
REMOTE SENSING FOR 2000 - 2004
Turkish National Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing
KEYWORDS: Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing, GIS, Education, Spatial Information Sciences
ABSTRACT:
This report comprises activities, organizations and important events on photogrammetry, remote sensing and geographical
information in the period of 2000-2004
1. INTRODUCTION
Although photogrammetrical applications have a long history in
Turkey, these were implemented only in one or two public
organizations for a long time. Historical developments of
photogrammetric methods have taken place in these
organizations.
Depending on the amendments in mapping regulations and
classifications, private sector have also taken place in various
applications for at least fifteen years.
Nowadays, geographical information is a necessity for almost
daily life. Beginning from the vehicle tracking system, many
practical applications depend on spatial information which are
acquired by imagery and data processing. As a natural
consequence, interest and activities in photogrammetry, remote
sensing and spatial information fields are growing up both in
public and private sector.
2. TECHNICAL ACTIVITIES
General Command of Mapping (GCM) is the national mapping
agency of Turkey. GCM is responsible for 1:25.000 and smaller
scale map production. Two Beechcraft B-200 are used for aerial
photography with kinematic GPS hardware. 1:35.000 scale
black-white aerial photographs in digitized format are used for
25K map production. All steps of the production are
implemented by digital methods. 1/6 rate of existing maps are
produced in digital vector format and remaining parts will be
completed in 6 years.
Photogrammetric vector data are converted in to ArcInfo format
to complete the cartographic process for printing. These are also
data sources of topographic database.
Orthophoto maps in raster format via CD-ROM’s using colornegative aerial films are another production of Photogrammetry
Department. A software called “Orthophoto Presentation
System” developed in that department is used to present
existing ortophoto mosaics to the end-users is used. Software
was developed according to the user’s requirements and able to
monitor any place in any scale, prepares any part of mosaic as
output in desired scale and has some other functions.
In February, 2000 GCM started a project, called as
DIMASMAP (Digital Map Supported Map Applications),
which aims to develop a software to perform all applications
done on paper maps, plus 3D visualization and GIS
functionalities. This project has been completed in 3 months
with release of the Version 1.0 of the DIMESMAP. This
software makes use of GCM produced raster maps (JPG),
matrix data (DTED) and gazetteers (MDB) in a encrypted
format, so as to protect them from unauthorized use. The
software itself is also protected by means of a soft lock based on
hardware-locked user-id, which requires authorization after the
installation.
As of the date June 2004, DIMASMAP-Version 1.7 has 252
functionalities which grouped into 13 modules, namely:
•
Raster Map Applications
•
Vector Map Applications
•
Situation Graphics Applications
•
3D Terrain Applications
•
3D Simulation Applications
•
Vehicle and Personnel Tracking Applications
•
Traditional Database Applications
•
GIS Database Applications
•
Display Applications
•
Query Applications
•
Measuring Applications
•
Gazetteer Applications
•
Tools Applications
DIMESMAP has its own on-line-help system which makes it
easy to learn and use by all levels of users from an enlisted man
to the army commander. As of today, DIMESMAP is for
military use only. Commercialization of this software for
civilian users is still going on.
General Command of Mapping (GCM), as the National
Mapping Agencies of Turkey, has the majority of the
Topographic Data at national level both in printed - and digital
forms. These data are comprised of
•
Printed maps at medium and small scales (1:25 K and
smaller),
•
Raster maps scanned and geo-registered in projected
and geographic coordinate systems,
•
Digital terrain elevation maps as vector maps in
various commercial formats (e.g, DGN, ESRICoverage, ESRI-ArcExport, ESRI-Shape, DXF),
•
•
•
•
•
activities and decision makers, to keep land registry
and cadastral survey maps updated, to transmit all the
data to the database, to keep updated data in a
computer digitally, to re–access such data under the
information and communication systems technology
and to offer them for use.
Cartographic vector maps at 1:25 K (ESRICoverage),
Photogrammetric Vector Maps at 1:25 K (3D-DGN),
Gazetteers (MDB)
Digital Terrain Elevation Data (Level 1 and Level 2)
VMAP –Level 1 Data
To transform land registry and cadastral survey works
and information into a multi – purpose land
information system by the participation of external
users as well and to keep such data in a secure
medium and to provide access to them in a secure
way.
As of today, for whole coverage of Turkey, all printed maps,
raster maps, gazetteers, digital terrain elevations maps and data
have been produced using in-house developed systems based on
commercial GIS, Digital Photogrammetry & Remote Sensing
and CAD Packages. VMAP –Level 1 data are about to be
finished for Turkey. The percentages of the completion for
cartographic maps and photogrametric maps at 1:25 K scale are
25 % and 15 %, respectively.
As the data collection activities continue, the design of the
topographic vector and raster databases has already been started
in 2004 after the completion of the procurement of the GIS
package ArcGIS-8.3 & ArcSDE-8.3, ORACLE-9i together with
the relevant software training. The early results on these GIS
activities are expected by the end of 2004. The next step is
supposed to be disseminating and marketing GIS data by means
of Intranet & Internet within the frame of National Geographic
Information System of Turkey (NGIST-TUCBS) which is a subproject in the “e-Government Turkey Project” commenced with
the Executive Order (No: 2003/48, Date: December 4, 2003) of
the Turkish Prime Minister.
While the conventional map production is currently obsolete,
GCM has started a project aiming to develop a digital
cartographic generalization production line. The aim is to
standardize and automate the production of smaller scale maps
(1:50.000 and 1:100.000) from the base map at a scale of
1:25.000. The project team has started to work in early 2002.
Another project in Cartography Department was development
of a cartographic vector data library. Instead of archiving 25K
digital vector maps produced in ED-50 or WGS-84 datum and
UTM projection on CD-ROM’s as separated digital files for
each sheet, a digital seamless library has been designed as a new
archive. For this purpose, all sheets are undertaken to a quality
inspection, transformed to geographic coordinate system in
WGS-84 datum and added to library.
Second important organization in related science and
technology in Turkey is General Directorate of Land Registry
and Cadastre (GDLRC). GDLRC has planned to establish a
Land Registry and Cadastre Information System (TAKBIS) to
improve land registration and cadastre data and operations. This
Project shall result in implementation of a Land Information
System to improve operations of the land registration and
cadastre offices, and to supply appropriate land related
information to all its users, both private and public,
municipalities in particular.
The main objective of TAKBIS project is to create a “Land
Registry and Cadastre Information System” throughout the
country.
The objectives of the TAKBIS project are summarized as
follows;
To provide accurate, valid and reliable land
information required for land and land–related
To plan, manage and activate the services by the
GDLRC in a better, faster, more reliable and more
effective way, to ensure that the data given to other
institutions and organizations are used more broadly.
New expectations occurred about all kinds of infrastructure
services based on land such as new settlements and industry
after the great destruction of the earthquake-1999. Therefore,
the general objective has become to ensure reliable, easy and
rapid access to land registration and cadastre data, to speed up
cadastre renovation, and to implement spatial information
technology. Thus, the general objective of this project is to
establish Marmara Earthquake Region Land Information
System (MERLIS).
The MERLIS will be used as a basis for reconstruction works in
the earthquake region and especially in the determination and
management of appropriate land that will be less affected from
earthquake and to meet all the necessary requirements needed
for a modern city management like appropriate configuration
and construction. MERLIS will also be used in monitoring of
resources, transportation planning, monitoring of the natural
events and immediate interference, utility engineering,
environmental arrangement and protection, expropriation, local
management automation, planning and application of
reallocation plans, real estate information system, facility
management which all are effective in city management.
Municipalities are very important component for a city
management and they will be included into the MERLIS
network as external users.
The development of the MERLIS System as an expanded
TAKBIS includes:
design and development of additional software
modules,
implementation of MERLIS in three provinces of the
Marmara Earthquake Region (Sakarya, Kocaeli,
Yalova),
training of local GDLRC’s staff and users’ staff, and
putting MERLIS into operation.
Additional modules required to TAKB S for MERLIS
are:
•
Buildings module with vector geometry and attributes
most useful in the earthquake region, such as building
unique identifier, address, use, year of construction,
construction type, number of floors and total floor
•
•
area,
Geological module with parcel-related information on
suitability of land for construction in the earthquake
region,
Internet module to improve availability of cadastre,
land registry and other MERLIS data.
The GDLRC will implement a set of projects to renovate
cadastre and land registry in the three provinces which covers
an area of 9351 km 2 . In this concept; Marmara Earthquake
Region Geodetic Control Densification Project by GPS are
completed in 2003, 1/1000 scale digital photogrammetric map
production projects in urban areas will be completed around
December 2004. Cadastre renovation projects that cover 93
villages will also be completed early in 2005. Conceptual
design of the MERLIS System and the plan of its
implementation in Sakarya, Kocaeli and Yalova provinces (5
Cadastre Offices and 25 Land Registry Offices) are already
prepared.
General Directorate of Forestry have also prepared a big project
in Northern Turkey. The aim of project is to complete forest
cadastre in that area by using 1:5000 scales digital vector and
orthophoto maps to be produced by private sector in six
months.
Another photogrammetric activity in that department is to
produce 1:25.000 scale forest classification maps using colourinfrared aerial photographs. Colour-infrared aerial photographs
are taken by GCM in almost 50.000 square kilometres in every
year and thematic maps are produced by private companies.
Some other public organizations such as General Directorate of
Rural Services (GDRS) and State Institute of Statistics (SIS)
deal with remote sensing and information system in their
activities. For example, GDRS has installed a new unit
responsible for;
Establishment of national soil and water resources
databases,
Producing of national soil and water resources services
maps to be used as base elements for development plans,
Solution of problems related to natural resources and
administration using national databases.
Four main project have been implemented for above mentioned
purposes. Updating of databases and data quality established in
those projects have the primary priority.
Soil database,
Rural and agricultural infrastructure services database,
Updating of Turkish General Soil Map (1:1.000.000) and
report according to FAO-UNESCO Soil Taxonomy,
Updating of land cover and land usage according to
CORINE methodology by means of remote sensing
techniques.
SIS has initiated a project called “Determination of Land Cover
of Turkey” in 2001 and will be completed at the end of this
year. The aim of the project is to determine agricultural areas,
vegetation cover, forest areas, land usage classifications
supporting the conventional methods by means of remote
sensing and geographical information system.
Role of the private sector in photogrammetry, remote sensing
and spatial information applications has also important in
Turkey. There is a satellite imagery ground station called Inta
SpaceTurk Inc. located in Ankara. That company deals with
Ikonos imagery in its province of interest.
Many monopol municipalities made contracts with some native
private companies to have city information system by means of
photogrammetry and remote sensing methods.
3. EDUCATION
Education on Geodesy and Photogrammetry Engineering is
given as 8 semesters in universities. A semester consist of 14
weeks. Four major components of education may be
distinguished:
a. Basic studies (Semester 1-4; mathematics, mechanics,
computer science, basics of surveying)
b. Specialized studies (semester 5-7; physical and satellite
geodesy, photogrammetry, remote sensing, land planning and
consolidation, engineering surveying, (GIS)
c. External practical work (60 days at governmental institutions
and private sector),
d. Seminar study and diploma thesis (semester 8).
There are also 29 vocational schools (2 years) and some
technical collages on geodesy and photogrammetry.
There are some institutes such as Geodesy and Geography
Information Technology (GGIT) of Middle East of Technical
University and Satellite and Space Science Research Institute
(SSSRI) of Anadolu University give only Master of Science and
doctorate education on photogrammetry, remote sensing and
geographic information systems. GGIT has been founded in the
1997-1998 academic term and 41 Master of Science students
have been graduated up to January 2004.
On the other hand, universities carry out some research and
collaborative works with private and public sector on national
and international level. Some examples on international projects
implemented by Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing
Departments of Istanbul Technical University are as follows;
Monitoring of urbanization and land use changes at the
Marmara Sea Coast-B.Çekmece District by means of
integration of satellite data and conventional field data
(ITU, TUBITAK, Russian Science Academy, University of
Bristol).
Use of space technologies for earthquake hazard
assessment and monitoring, supported by the European
Space Agency (ESA).
The use and evaluation of JERS data capability for crop
identification at the Trace in Turkey, supported by ESA.
Monitoring land use dynamics for the city Istanbul,
European Commission Joint Research Center, Institute for
Environmental Sustainability.
4. IMPORTANT EVENTS
Except the hosting for ISPRS XXth Congress in Istanbul, some
other international events related to concerned topics are as
follows:
Second International Conference on GIS for Earth Science
Applications (ICGESA), September 11-14, 2000,
zmir/Menemen.
Second International Symposium on New Technologies for
Environmental Monitoring and Agro-Applications,
October 18-20, 2000, Tekirda .
97th Science and Steering Committee Meetings of OEEPE
(European
Organization
for
Experimental
Photogrammetric Research) 30 October-02 November,
2000, Ankara.
Fourth International Turkish – German Joint Geodetic
Days, April 3-6, 2001, Berlin.
Second Symposium on Remote Sensing of Urban Areas,
June 22-23, 2002 Regensburg, Germany.
Third Symposium on Remote Sensing of Urban Areas,
June 11-13, 2001, stanbul.
Third International Symposium on New Technologies for
Environmental and Agro-Applications, AgroEnviron-2002,
Egypt.
International Symposium on Geographic Information
Systems, September 23-26, 2002, stanbul.
First Symposium on Studying Land Use Effects in Coastal
Zones with Remote Sensing and GIS, August 13-16, 2003
Antalya.
XIXth International Symposium CIPA 2003 (International
Scientific Committee for Documentation of Cultural
Heritage), 30 September - 04 October 2004, Antalya.
Fourth International Symposium on New Technologies for
Environmental and Agro-Applications, AgroEnviron-2004,
October 20-24, 2004 Udine, Italy.
Presented or published paper in any international journal,
symposium, congress etc (except XXth ISPRS Congress)
number is about 170 from only one university (ITU
Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing Departments) in Turkey
during the last four years period.